Hey @saramiller,
I enjoy the way you write in your posts .. it is so poetic, free and expressive :)
I wholeheartedly agree that your emphasis on integrity is an important part of Yoga practice and in life (and we can make those 2 things the same if we fully commit, right?)
In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali teaches us about the 8 limbs of Yoga - a broad approach to practising Yoga as a practical life philosophy.
The first of the 8 limbs is the 'Yamas' - which are an short set of ethical codes detailing a Yogic way of approaching daily life and our interactions with others and with the world.
The 3rd of the 5 Yamas is asteya - which can be translated as 'integrity'.
Patanjali suggests that a Yogi(ni) cannot progress on his/her spiritual path without a solid ethical/Yama foundation (and so 'integrity') established in their daily life.
I have written a brief intro to the Yoga Sutras here. I'll be building on this in the future.
Keep up the good inspiring work!
Let's us Yogis work together to promote the wonders of practice!
Love & Peace & Freedom.
Yay, YOGA! To Patanjali, I salute.
I too practice ashtanga, and I enjoy introducing the Western yogi to the depths of the practice rather than just asana. I interpret asteya to mean non-stealing, and of course integrity is foundational for not taking what isn't yours. Thanks for sharing your perspective!
Yay Yoga! Yay Patanjali! Yay 8 limbs!
:D
Yes indeed, so much more than the asana is available to help us to progress.
And so much more value than the simply physical - (which is valuable, sure, but there is so much more, right?).
Sanskrit translations are very interesting, are they not?
Not understanding the words myself without translations of others, I work to apply my own understanding and experience to the translations I read and apply broad interpretation to them.
You're absolutely right .. integrity requires non-stealing.
Best yogi wishes to you,
Namaste.
Love & Peace & Freedom.